An agreement to promote shipping connectivity between the two countries had been signed.

Bangladesh major exports are destined to USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and are currently moved by feeder vessels via transshipment hubs of Singapore, Colombo, Port Kelang and Tanjung Pelapas.

Wickrema has said export containers can get lower rates and slash the time taken to reach ports in the US East Coast, Canada, Europe, the Mediterranean, Gulf and Africa by four days by transshipping containers through Colombo.

Feeder calls between Bangladesh had already started to rise, SLPA said.

SLPA has also highlighted opportunities to investment in industrial zones near Hambantota and Trincomalee ports and offered consultancy services to Bangladesh ports.

The newly commissioned Colombo International Container Terminal had increased capacity at the port by 2.4 million twenty foot equivalents a year.